Marsaxlokk 0
Sliema Wanderers 3
M. Ciantar 20; Woods 64; Mintoff 90

Sliema Wanderers strengthened their push for European football next season after shrugging aside Marsaxlokk's challenge in their second Championship Pool game.

After their 5-0 humiliation to champions Valletta, Sliema coach Stephen Azzopardi was seeking a strong response from his players as they looked to revive their hopes of a top-four finish.

The Sliema mentor left the Hibs Ground a happy man as the Wanderers, despite missing a number of key players, turned in a solid performance to clinch three precious points.

The same cannot be said of Marsaxlokk. Coach Patrick Curmi knows that his team must step up their game if they are to keep alive their flickering hopes of qualification to the Europa League.

Azzopardi had to make do without several first-team players as Victor Coto, Mark Scerri, Noel Turner and Branko Nisevic were all on the injured list while Alex Muscat was serving a one-match ban.

Goalkeeper Henry Bonello returned for Sliema after suspension kept him out of the 5-0 loss to Valletta. Youngsters Miguel Ciantar and Kane Paul Farrugia were handed a rare start by Azzopardi while midfielder Daniel Severino returned after his move to a Chinese club fell through earlier this month.

Curmi was without Brazilian defender Renato Conceicao, suspended, but Gareth Sciberras and Julio Alcorse were back in the fray after seeing out their one-match ban in the 4-1 upset to Hibs.

On 14 minutes, Marcelo Pereira teed up Alcorse whose fierce volley from a good position flew over.

However, it was Sliema who opened the scoring on 20 minutes. Ciantar, put through on goal by Roderick Bajada, showed excellent composure by ramming the ball past the onrushing Saviour Darmanin.

Alcorse threatened to level the score for Marsaxlokk on 24 minutes. The Argentine forward did well to create space for a shot just outside the area but his firm drive flew just wide.

Then, a minute later, it was the turn of Malcolm Licari to try his luck from the distance but his shot was blocked in two attempts by Bonello.

It was all Marsaxlokk at this stage and on 32 minutes, Pereira sped into the penalty area before sending a dangerous low cross towards Alcorse who blasted over.

But, five minutes before half-time, Sliema almost made it 2-0 when from a Severino corner, Ian Azzopardi set up Ivan Woods whose shot on the turn drew an excellent block from Darmanin.

Three minutes after the restart, Darmanin did well to keep out Severino's long-range shot and from the rebound, the Marsaxlokk no. 1 also blocked Woods's volley.

Miguel Ciantar almost hit his second goal of the day on 53 minutes when he controlled Severino's through-ball and turned past Darmanin. However, the Sliema youngster shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Pereira had the chance to equalise for Marsaxlokk after receiving from Peter Pullicino but the Brazilian's effort was off target.

Marsaxlokk were now enjoying more possession but Sliema continued to create the better chances.

Just past the hour mark, Severino again tested Darmanin with another powerful drive from the distance but the Marsaxlokk keeper responded with a diving save.

However, Marsaxlokk's hopes of salvaging a point were dashed on 64 minutes when Sliema doubled their lead. Severino supplied a fine cross from a corner and Woods poked the ball home.

Two minutes later, Alcorse should have done better than shoot wide after being set up by Kevin Sammut.

Ten minutes from time, Matthew artolo came close to extending Sliema's lead but his shot finished over.

Sliema wrapped up the points in stoppage time when substitute John Mintoff put his name on the scoresheet with a scorching shot that went in via the upright.

Marsaxlokk
S. Darmanin-6, M. Licari-5.5, C. Mamo-6, G. Sciberras-6, B. Said-6, K. Sammut-5.5, P. Pullicino-6, J. Alcorse-4, C. Brincat-5, M. Pereira-5, C. Cassar-5.5 ('70 C. Camilleri-5).

Sliema Wanderers
H. Bonello-6, I. Azzopardi-6, K. Farrugia-6, M. Ciantar-7.5 ('76 J. Mintoff), M. Bartolo-7, J. Chetcuti-6, I. Woods-6.5 ('90 K. Grech), L. Dronca-6, D. Severino-6.5 ('82 S. Furfaro), I. Ciantar-6, R. Bajada-6.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Cassar; Severino; Licari; Farrugia.

BoV player of the match: Miguel Ciantar (Sliema).